10 Simple Steps to Lose Weight Without Dieting!!

Over the past ten years my body has dramatically changed and my weight has fluctuated!! I have tried many fad diets but I must tell you what works best for me isn't a specific diet but rather changing my lifestyle!!! After most diets you're able to go back to normal eating and you notice the weight coming back on and sometimes even faster than it did the first time around!! Here are some simple tips which help me keep my weight down and manageable and can do the same for you!!

Make Better Fast Food Choices - Fast food and eating out is part of most people's life and telling you cut it out completely isn't realistic rather you need to make better choices. Order salads, don't super size, go to restaurants with healthy choices, and order water instead of pop!! These tips will not only help you slim down but also save some money!! One of my favorite fast food restaurants is Wendy's they have a large variety of salads and healthy options!!

Cut Out the Extras - When ordering or making food at home cut out the extra items that sometimes make it taste a little better but are the highest in calories in your meal. Order your sandwich without cheese or mayo and get it on wheat or multi-grain bread instead of white to also help you get important nutrients.

Fat Free / Light Options - I know from personal experience that not all fat free or light options taste as well as the normal options however after a few weeks of eating them you will barely tell the difference anymore!! Fat free mayo, light salad dressing, wheat bread and diet pop a few simple changes to make!!

Replace Pop with Water - This is huge simple thing to do. I love water but you know there are some people out there that would much rather have a pop so compromise with yourself and maybe only have one pop a day and replace the rest with water!! It will be more like a treat and you will enjoy it even more!!

Stop When You're Full - This can be really difficult from some people and a method you will need to be very conscious about while you are eating. When you are eating dinner stop and think when you start to feel full. Just take a deep breath and stop eating. Your brain usually doesn't realize you are already full when you are shoveling in food so just stop and take a deep breath and eat slower to ensure you do stop when you are full not when your plate is clean!!

Portion Control - When you are having a snack for instance don't grab the bag of chips and sit on the couch you will have eaten half of it before you know it but rather but some in a bowl and stop when that amount is gone!! Make your plate before you go to the dinner table leave all extra's on the counter to ensure you only eat what's in front of you.

Exercise - I think this may be the most difficult thing to squeeze into your new lifestyle but start small!! Take the dog for a walk, take the stairs instead of the elevator, play outside with your kids, make time in your life if at least for 30 minutes a day 3 times a week to get moving start your blood flowing and before you know it you will notice a difference on the days you don't do anything active and it will become and important part of your life!!

Say NO to Dessert - I must admit I have a huge sweet tooth and always want something sweet so I treat sweets as a reward. If I have done good all day or reached a goal I was striving for I reward myself with treats. It not only encourages you to strive for excellence in other areas in your life but also helps you to lose weight! It's also a great idea to replace chocolate and ice cream with fruit!! They are full of sugar for your sweet tooth and also a necessary part of a healthy lifestyle!!

Don't Feel Obligated to Eat it - This something that I struggle with. There is always someone making something, bringing extra candy or selling something for one of their kids at work but you just have to say no. People will understand and admire you for your self control!!

Believe in Yourself and Commit to being Healthy- This is the most important step!! You have to believe in your ability to make changes in your life. You have to understand how important is to be healthy. Lastly you have to commit to making a change just saying your going to won't cut it!! These aren't life altering changes to just simple things you can do to get healthy and shed a few pounds!!!